Vibrating Cooking System

ABSTRACT

A cooking system that utilizes vibration to improve the convenience of preparing food and the quality of the finished product. The system uses a vibrating device coupled to a cooking vessel with a pad and/or isolation blocks disposed between the vibrator and the vessel. The cooking system can be adapted to prepare specific foods in specific quantities, such as popcorn in pre-packaged containers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cooking systems that utilize avibrating device to improve the process of food preparation. Moreparticularly, the present invention pertains to the use of induction andvibration to cook and prepare food, including popping popcorn.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that the quality of food is improved when it has beenproperly stirred or mixed during preparation. Stirring and mixingpromotes even heating and cooking so that the finished product isconsistently and thoroughly prepared. This is true whether the food isrice, oatmeal, meat, or popcorn. However, it is also known that the needto mix or stir food while it is being cooked is a time consuming,tiresome, and often tedious aspect of food preparation. Various attemptshave been made to obviate or minimize the need for manual stirring offood while it is being cooked. These attempts include use a vibratingdevice to impart motion to the cooking system which causes relativemovement between the system and the food being cooked as well as withinthe food itself. For example, Japanese Patent Application PublicationNo. Heisei 11-253309 describes a rice cooker that includes a vibratingpart. The vibrating part imparts vibration to an inner pot that isremovable from the rice cooker, and which holds the water and riceintended to be cooked. The cooker includes a heating part that may heatthe inner pot by induction. As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,018discloses an electric griddle with a vibrating device attached to it tocause the cooking surface of the griddle to vibrate.

Previous attempts to use a vibrating device to assist in foodpreparation have had limited success for a variety of reasons. Becauseof their poor implementation, such attempts—including those disclosed inHeisei 11-253309 and the '018 patent—have been of limited usefulness inmodern kitchens.

What is needed is an improved cooking system that will fully utilize theeffectiveness of a vibrating device for assisting in the preparation offood.

The preparation of popcorn requires particular attention. In order toprepare a sufficient quantity of popped kernels that are uniformlycooked, the even application of heat to all of the kernels isimperative. Otherwise, some kernels pop earlier than others and becomeburned while the later-popping kernels continue to be heated. On theother hand, uneven heating can leave numerous kernels unpopped or onlypartially popped.

Many previous attempts have been made to engineer an efficient way toprepare high quality popcorn. For example, the well known Jiffy Pop®brand combines popcorn kernels and oil in a disposable aluminum pan withan expandable aluminum foil top. The Jiffy Pop® unit is heated on anelectric range while the consumer continuously oscillates the unit,causing the kernels to move and mix in the pan. One obvious disadvantageof this method is the nearly constant attention that the consumer mustpay to the task of shaking the disposable pan across the heat source.

Another example is the use of a microwave oven to heat a paper packagecontaining kernels and oil. This method has well-known problems,including wildly uneven heating of the kernels resulting in burnedpopcorn and many kernels remaining unpopped. The overall flavor ofpopcorn prepared in the microwave is also well-known to be belowaverage.

Thus, there is also a need for a reliable system to make high qualitypopcorn without requiring all of the attention of the consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve these and other objects, a cook top system isprovided, comprising: a surface adapted to support a cooking vessel, acoil for creating an oscillating magnetic field that interacts with andgenerates an amount of heat in the cooking vessel; a vibrator coupled tothe surface for vibrating the surface; and a pad formed of a thermallyinsulating, elastically deformable material on the surface andunderneath the cooking vessel.

In some embodiments, a recess is formed in the surface in which at leasta portion of the pad is disposed such that horizontal movement of thepad relative to the surface is substantially prevented. In someembodiments, removal of the pad from the surface is not impeded. In someembodiments, a heater control is coupled to the coil for varying theamount of heat generated in the vessel and a vibrator control coupled tothe vibrator for varying one or both of the vibration frequency and thevibration amplitude of the vibrator. In some embodiments, the systemfurther includes a housing in which the surface, the coil, saidvibrator, and the pad are contained.

According to a second embodiment, a cooking system is provided thatincludes: a structure adapted to support a cooking vessel; a heatingelement adapted to generate heat in the cooking vessel; a vibratorcoupled to the structure for vibrating the structure; and a pad formedof an elastically deformable material positioned between the structureand the cooking vessel.

In some embodiments, the structure is a housing in which the heatingelement, the vibrator, and the pad are contained. In some embodiments,the system further comprises a cook top surface in the housing adaptedto support the cooking vessel. In some embodiments, the system furthercomprises a recess formed in the pad for receiving at least a portion ofthe cooking vessel.

In some embodiments, the structure is a substantially planar surface. Insome embodiments, the heating element is a coil for creating anoscillating magnetic field that interacts with and generates an amountof heat in the cooking vessel. In some embodiments, the system furthercomprises a recess formed in the surface for receiving at least aportion of the pad such that the recess substantially preventshorizontal movement of the pad relative to the surface. In someembodiments, the system further comprises that removal of said pad fromsaid surface is not impeded. In some embodiments, the system furthercomprises at least one elastomeric isolation block adapted to supportsaid structure. In some embodiments, the pad is formed of a thermallyinsulating material.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a cartridge in which foodis cooked is provided, the cartridge comprising: an outer containerhaving a bottom and a side wall; a lower layer of insulating material onthe bottom of the outer container; an intermediate layer offerromagnetic material above the lower layer; and a cavity for holdingfood above the intermediate layer.

In some embodiments, the cartridge further comprises an upper coverdisposed above the cavity. In some embodiments, the cartridge furthercomprises that the upper cover is expandable to increase the volume ofthe cavity. In some embodiments, the cartridge further comprises thatsaid upper cover is formed out of a metal foil. In some embodiments, thecartridge further comprises popcorn kernels disposed in said cavity.

The invention and its particular features and advantages will becomemore apparent from the following detailed description considered withreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cook-top.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cook-top shown in FIG. 1, takenalong line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cook-top shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a cooking appliance.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cooking appliance shown in FIG.4, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b are perspective views of a second design of a cookingappliance.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cooking appliance shown in FIGS.6 a and 6 b, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 b.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a cook-top.

FIG. 9 a is a perspective view of a third design of a cooking appliance.

FIG. 9 b is an exploded perspective view of the cooking appliance ofFIG. 9 a.

FIG. 9 c is an inverted exploded perspective view of a portion of thecooking appliance of FIG. 9 a.

FIG. 9 d is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the applianceof FIG. 9 a.

FIG. 10 a is a perspective view of a cartridge.

FIG. 10 b is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 10 a, takenalong line 10 b-10 b in FIG. 10 a.

FIG. 11 a is a perspective view of a second design of a cartridge.

FIG. 11 b is a cross sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 11 a, takenalong line 11 b-11 b in FIG. 11 a.

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of an induction popcorn system.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the induction popcorn system of FIG.12.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the induction popcorn system of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the induction popcornsystem of FIG. 12, taken along line 15-15 in FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, embodiments of the present inventionwill be described. FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show a cook-top system 10 accordingto one embodiment of the present invention. In a general sense, thesystem 10 utilizes both induction cooking technology as well asvibration to improve the efficiency of preparing food and the overallquality of the finished product.

Induction cooking systems have been known for many years but have gainedpopularity recently due to their many advantages over other types ofcooking systems. Like a traditional electric stove, an induction stoveuses electricity to generate heat. However, instead of heating aresistive element (such as a coil of metal) by passing electric currentthrough it, an induction stove generates an oscillating magnetic fieldthat causes the cooking vessel itself to be heated. The term “cookingvessel,” as used throughout this specification, refers to any pot, pan,skillet, and/or any other suitable cooking container or hardware inwhich food or other material is placed to be heated on a stove.

In an induction stove, a wire coil located beneath the cook-top receivesan alternating electrical current, and thereby creates an oscillatingmagnetic field. When a cooking vessel made from a ferromagnetic materialis placed on the cook-top, the oscillating magnetic field causes theferromagnetic material to heat up. The ferromagnetic material is heatedby means of magnetic hysteresis loss in the ferromagnetic material aswell as by eddy currents created in the ferromagnetic material (whichgenerate heat due to the electrical resistance of the material). Themechanisms by which an induction stove generates heat in a cookingvessel are well known to those of skill in the art. Typically, noportion of the cook-top itself is directly heated by the inductionheating element, unlike in a traditional electric stove, where acircular heating element is heated in order to heat a cooking vesselthat is placed thereon.

FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show a system 10 with a cook top 14 in the form of agenerally planar rectangular plate. The cook top 14 is positioned in ahorizontal orientation and has an upper surface 16 and a lower surface18. A thickness is defined between the upper and lower surfaces. Thecook top is fabricated of any material suitable for an induction stovecook-top, including ceramic, glass, high density thermoplastics,non-ferromagnetic metals (such as aluminum), etc. In some embodiments,the cook top is formed of a thermally insulating material.

The cook top 14 includes control apertures 24, 26, 28, which accommodatecontrols 50, 52, 54. The controls are located in a cluster at theplurality control apertures and are clustered together at a locationlaterally offset from the cooking area of the cook top. The controlsinclude a first induction element control 50 and a second inductionelement control 52. The induction element controls 50, 52 control thepotential at the induction coils 42 beneath the cooking area of the cooktop. A vibrator control 54 is also provided, which controls thefrequency and/or the amplitude of the vibrator.

The cook top 14 is supported by a fixedly positioned support surface 32.The support surface is located beneath the cooking plate and has anupper surface 34. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the upper surface is in aplanar configuration and is parallel with the lower surface of thecooking plate. Four isolation blocks 38 are provided that couple thecook top 14 to the support surface 32 at locations adjacent to thecorners of the cooking plate. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the isolationblocks have a thickness that is approximately the same as the distancebetween the cooking plate and the support surface. In other embodiments,the thickness of the isolation blocks varies from the thickness of thecooking plate by plus or minus 25 percent. In still other embodiments,the thickness is chosen based on the particular system design and thematerial selected for the isolation blocks. The isolation blocks arefabricated of a resilient elastomeric material. Suitable materialsinclude plastics and rubbers, natural and synthetic, and blends thereof.

The cook top 14 has a first indentation, or recess, 20 and a secondindentation 22 laterally spaced from the first. Each indentation 20, 22corresponds to an induction cooking zone usable for heating a cookingvessel (such as vessel 58 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) on the cook top.Beneath each indentation 20, 22 is a circular induction element or coil.Shown in FIG. 2 is a first circular induction element 42, which issecured to the lower surface of the cook top 14 beneath the firstindentation 20. A second circular induction element is secured to thelower surface of the cook top 14 beneath the second indentation, but isnot shown in the figures. Each induction element has a coil of copperwire adapted to support an oscillating potential of appropriate volts atan appropriate frequency. As described above, the induction coils arecontrolled by the controls 50 and 52 by the user of the system toincrease or decrease the amount of heat generated in the cooking vessel.

A vibrator 46 is secured to the lower surface of the cook top 14. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vibrator is located between theindentations 20, 22 and the induction elements. The vibrator oscillatesa mass in a horizontal plane, which imparts an oscillating, horizontalmovement to the cook-top 14. The cook-top 14 is able to vibrate becauseof the elasticity of the isolation blocks 38. The amplitude andfrequency of the vibration is chosen according to the particular designcharacteristics of the overall system. The vibrations can be induced byany device that will suitably transmit the vibrations to the cook top,cookware, small appliance, etc. These devices include mechanical,electrical, solid state, sonic-type devices etc. The invention willvibrate the cook top, cookware, small appliance at different frequenciesand amplitudes. In most embodiments, horizontal movement of the cook topis induced, which may be in the form of purely lateral (i.e. back andforth) movement. In some embodiments, the horizontal movement is in acircular or ellipsoidal path. In still other embodiments, thevibrational movement has a vertical component. The specifics of thevibration can be tailored to the specific cooking system design.

One example of a suitable vibrating device is the combination of anelectric motor having a crank attached to its driveshaft, where thecrank includes an off-center mass. Rotation of the crank by the motorcauses an oscillating force in the plane perpendicular to thedriveshaft. This device will impart the oscillating force to whateverstructure to which the motor is secured.

Next, the system includes a pad 62 made of a flexible, elasticallydeformable, thermally insulating material. The pad 62 is sized to fitsnugly within the indentation 20, beneath the cooking vessel 58 as shownin FIG. 3. Although not shown in the figures, the system also includes asecond pad that corresponds to the second indention 22. The interactionbetween the pad 62 and indentation 20 substantially prevent horizontalmovement of the pad 62 relative to the cook top 14. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1-3, removal of the pad 62 from the cook-top 14 is notimpeded, so that it can be easily cleaned or replaced. The pad isadapted to facilitate the cleanliness of the system in the event ofinadvertent spillage. The pad is further adapted to not adversely affectthe heating and vibrating of the food in the vessel.

FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 also show a cooking vessel 58 placed on or in positionto be placed on the pad 62. The vessel contains food to be cooked, whichis accomplished on account of the vessel including at least some portionor element of a suitable ferromagnetic material. On account of thismaterial, potential in the induction element is creates heat within thecooking vessel.

The coupling of the vibrator 46 to the cooking vessel 58 is enhanced bythe use of the isolation blocks 38 and the pad 62. Each adds an amountof mobility to the system which increases the ability of the vibrator toimpart motion to the food in the cooking vessel, while reducing oreliminating the possibility that the cooking vessel will slide relativeto and away from the induction cooking zone. In some embodiments, thematerial of the pad is chosen so that the friction force between the padand the cooking vessel is sufficient to prevent unwanted sliding of thevessel at all, including during vibration cooking. At the same time, theelastomeric properties of the isolation blocks 38 and/or the pad 62permit sufficient movement of the cook-top 14, the cooking vessel 58,and, therefore, the food in the vessel.

There are various ways in which the vibrator, cook top, and inductionelement are arranged. In some embodiments, all three components areeffectively secured together so that all move as a result of thevibrator. In other embodiments, the vibrator is secured to the cook topwhile the induction element is independently secured. This enables thecook top to move while the induction element remains stationary.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a cooking appliance 100 according to an alternateembodiment of the invention. A cooking vessel 158 is provided forholding the food to be cooked. A casing or housing 132 is provided, inwhich the components of the appliance are contained. The appliance has apad or block 138 that holds the cooking vessel 158 in the housing 132.Like the pad 62 of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the pad 138 is formed of anelastically-deformable, thermally insulating material. The pad 138supports the cooking vessel in the housing around a rim of the cookingvessel.

The appliance also includes a vibrator 146, which is attached to thehousing 132 but may be attached directly to the cooking vessel 146. Thevibrator 146 creates an oscillating force that moves the cooking vesselto cause the food being cooked therein to also move. The appliance 100also includes a heating element 142 for causing the cooking vessel tobecome warm. The heating element can be any suitable type ofburner/element, including electric, radiant, induction, halogen, gas,etc.

FIG. 5 also shows feet 150 on the bottom surface of the appliance 100.The feet 150 are constructed using a resilient elastomeric material.Suitable materials include plastics and rubbers, natural and synthetic,and blends thereof. The feet 150 reduce or eliminate the possibilitythat the appliance will move spontaneously as a result of thevibrations. The feet 150 serve as a type of isolation block thatsupports the appliance.

FIGS. 6 a, 6 b, 7, and 8 show a second cooking appliance 200, which isspecially adapted for cooking food provided in a cartridge, such aspopcorn. The user simply places the cartridge in the unit 200, presses abutton to begin the cooking process, and the appliance cooks the food inthe cartridge, automatically shuts down, and alerts the user when it iscomplete. The appliance 200 includes a housing 232 with a hinged lid233. The appliance has a cook top 214, which is made of anon-ferromagnetic material that does not heat up or otherwise interactwith the magnetic field produced by an induction coil. Control buttons252 are mounted on the housing 232 for controlling the operation of theappliance.

The appliance also includes a pad 262 that is adapted to be placed onthe cook top 214. The cook top has a recess 220 that is shaped to holdthe pad 262. The pad 262 is shaped and adapted to hold a cartridge 258.FIG. 6 b shows the appliance 200 with the lid closed.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the appliance 200, which showsadditional features and components of the device. The cook top 214 iscomprised of two separate planar pieces: an upper portion 215 that hasan opening in the center and a lower portion 217 that is slightly largerthan and that covers the bottom of the opening in the upper portion 215.Using these two components to make the cook top 214 creates a recess220. As shown in the blow-up window of FIG. 7, the cook top 214 issupported in the housing 232 by a pad or block 238, which is constructedusing a resilient elastomeric material.

A vibrator 246 is attached to the cook top 214. The vibrator 246 is usedto create oscillating movement in the cook top 214, which is imparted tothe food in the cartridge 258. The cartridge is shown in outline in FIG.7 resting in the recess 220 of the cook top 214. Also shown in FIG. 7 isan induction coil 242 mounted in the appliance 200 for heating the foodin the cartridge 258.

The appliance 200 includes appropriate hardware and software foroperating the induction coil 242 and vibrator 246 for cooking food. Thiscan include pre-programmed software routines for powering bothcomponents for an appropriate time for specific food-cooking tasks. Forexample, the appliance includes a specific routine for popping popcornthat is provided in a pre-packaged cartridge. The routine will instructthe appliance to heat the popcorn cartridge for a specific durationdepending on the amount and type of popcorn provided.

In some embodiments, the appliance 200 also includes a sensor andappropriate software for automatically detecting the completion of afood-cooking sequence, such as a popcorn popping operation. The sensordetects the temperature of the food, or of the cartridge, whichindicates that sufficient heating has occurred to achieve the desiredlevel of cooking. The sensor is adapted to signal the induction coil 242and vibrator 246 to cease operation once the desired temperature hasbeen reached. This is one way to implement the automatic poppingfunctionality of the appliance 200. For example, a thermistor andassociated circuitry can be employed as a temperature sensor.

In some embodiments, the appliance 200 also includes a sensor forautomatically detecting characteristics of a food cartridge placed inthe cooking zone. For example, some embodiments employ an optical sensoron the cook top for reading a bar code or other code displayed on thefood cartridge. As another example, an RF sensor is embedded in theappliance for detecting an RF identification tag in a food cartridge.The code or RF identification tag on the cartridge can conveyinformation to the device necessary for setting cooking time, cookingintensity, and vibration pattern. This feature enables a user to preparea variety of foods automatically with the push of a single button, sincethe device is pre-programmed to execute numerous cooking routines.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative design for the cook top arrangement of theappliance 200. In this alternative design, the appliance includes a pad262 that is adapted to fit in the recess 220. The pad is made of athermally insulating, elastically deformable material so that itinsulates the cook top 214 from excessive heat and ensures that thecartridge does not slide on the cook top as a result of the vibrations.

FIG. 9 a shows an alternative design of a cooking appliance 400 adaptedto prepare food, such as popcorn, from cartridges. The appliance 400 hasa differently designed housing 432, which holds the cook top 414, aninduction coil, and a vibrator for moving the cook top. In thisappliance design, the cook top 414 includes an integral pad 462,preferably made of a thermally insulating and elastically deformablematerial, such as high temperature silicone. The pad 462 also preferablyhas sufficient surface tack to prevent unwanted sliding of a foodcartridge being vibrated on its surface.

The appliance 400 includes a fully removable lid 433 instead of a hingedlid. The lid 433 is shaped so that it can be used as a serving bowl forpopped popcorn after use of the appliance 400. The lid 433 is preferablyconstructed from a resilient, high-temperature thermoplastic that willnot flex or break easily so that it is convenient to clean and use inthe kitchen.

FIG. 9 b shows an exploded view of the appliance 400. The housing 432 isconstructed in two halves: a top half 432 a and a bottom half 432 b. Acook top 414 is anchored to the top half 432 a of the housing using atwist-to-lock design. The pad 462 is anchored to the cook top 414 by afriction fit over the rim of the cook top, for example. The pad 462 ispreferably constructed from highly-temperature resistant siliconerubber. This material helps insulate the internal components of theappliance 400 from heat generated in the cooking vessel.

A temperature sensor 484 is secured to the underside of the cook top414. In the device shown, the sensor 484 is a thermistor, which is adevice, typically comprised of ceramic or polymer, whose electricalresistance varies significantly with changes in temperature. The anchorplate 480 is bolted to the housing 432 and creates the structure towhich the cook top 414 is locked using the twist-to-lock mountingfeature.

The induction coil or element 442 is mounted to the bottom half 432 b ofthe housing, and comprises a copper coil as is typical of inductionelements. Also mounted to the bottom half of the housing 432 b is thevibrator assembly 446. The assembly includes a motor 483. In the deviceshown, the motor 483 is a round, brush DC motor. A crank 482 is mountedon the drive shaft of the motor 483. The crank 482 includes anoff-center mass 485 which produces an oscillating, horizontalvibrational force when the crank 482 is rotated by the motor 483. Thisoscillating force acts on the housing 432 and, therefore, on the cooktop 414 and pad 462.

FIG. 9 b shows four feet or isolation blocks 438 that are secured to theoutside of the bottom half 432 b of the housing. The feet 438 areconstructed from an elastomeric material, such as rubber. The feet 438dampen the transmission of the vibration of the housing 432 to the areaaround where the appliance is being used. The feet 438 preferably havesufficient surface tack to inhibit or prevent sliding movement of theappliance 400 as a result of the action of the vibrator assembly.

Also mounted to the bottom half 432 b of the housing is a cooling fan481, which helps maintain a stable working temperature within thehousing 432. A circuit board 486 is also mounted in the housing 432, andincludes the electronic circuitry necessary to control the inductionelement 442 and motor 483. The electrical cord 490 provides a connectionto the electrical power grid.

FIG. 9 c shows an inverted, exploded view of the components associatedwith the top half 432 a of the housing. On the bottom surface of thecook top 414 a mounting fixture 487 is shown, which is used for mountingthe temperature sensor 484. The small circuit board 488 is also shown,which is mounted to the top half 432 a of the housing for taking inputsfrom the control button 452 and sending the command to the circuit board486.

FIG. 9 d shows an exploded view of the components associated with thebottom half 432 b of the housing. As shown, various electricalconnections 589 are made between the electrical components (e.g.induction element 442, motor 483) and the circuit board 486.

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b show a first embodiment of a cartridge 258 for usein a cooking appliance according to the present invention. The cartridge258 is generally round with a paper or cardboard cover 270 that isremovable from the cartridge before use. The construction of thecartridge 258 is shown in more detail in FIG. 10 b. An outer container271 holds the internal parts of the cartridge, and is made out of asuitably rugged material to withstand potentially high temperatures.These include non-ferromagnetic metals, high-temperature thermoplastics,and other suitable materials.

The cartridge 258 includes a lower layer 272 which serves a thermallyinsulating layer. It is made out of a material suitable for thatpurpose, such as high temperature silicone. Above the lower layer 272 isthe intermediate layer 273 formed of a ferromagnetic material. Theintermediate layer 273 interacts with the magnetic field of theinduction coil and generates the cooking heat. Above the intermediatelayer 273 is a cavity 274 intended to hold the food 275 to be cookedwithin the cartridge. Above the cavity 274 and food 275 is an upperlayer 276 composed of an expandable material such as folded up aluminumfoil. As an example, the cartridge 258 is advantageously used to poppopcorn. The popcorn is placed in the cavity 274 and, as it is poppeddue to the heat, its volume expansion is accommodated by the expandableupper layer 276.

The cartridge 258 is an example of a pre-made, disposable product thatmay be sold in packs or individually to consumers for use in aseparately sold appliance (such as appliance 200). The food, such aspopcorn, included in the cartridges can be varied to include differentflavors and styles. This system vastly improves the convenience ofcooking. A consumer simply has to select the desired cartridge, place itin the appliance, and press the appropriate button to operate theappliance. Once the food in the cartridge is cooked, it can be removedfrom the cartridge, eaten, and the cartridge discarded.

FIGS. 11 a and 11 b show an example of a cartridge 358, which isreusable. The cartridge 358 includes an outer container 371 and an upperlid 376. The upper lid 376 replaces the expandable upper layer 276 ofthe cartridge 258 shown in FIGS. 10 a and 10 b. The upper lid 376 isroomy enough to accommodate fully popped popcorn kernels or theexpansion of other types of food as a result of cooking. The height ofthe side walls of the cartridge 358 vary depending on the particularapplication, and can be much higher than shown in FIGS. 11 a and 11 b ifnecessary.

FIG. 11 b shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 358. Inside theouter container 371 is a lower layer 372 of thermally insulatingmaterial such as high temperature silicone. Above that is theintermediate layer 373 of a ferromagnetic material that interacts withthe magnetic field of the induction coil and generates the cooking heat.Finally, above the intermediate layer is a cavity 374 for holding foodto be cooked in the cartridge, such as unpopped popcorn kernels.

FIGS. 12-15 show alternative designs of a cooking appliance 500 andcartridge 538. The appliance 500 is particularly suited for popcornpopping. In the front elevational view of FIG. 12, the housing 532 isshown supporting a cartridge 538. Shown schematically in the housing 532is an induction element 542 and a vibrator 546. FIG. 13 schematicallyshows the cook top 514, with a generally planar upper surface 516. Topop the popcorn in the cartridge 538, the cartridge is placed on thecook top 514, the control button 552 is pressed, and the inductionelement 542 and vibrator 546 are energized. The system turns offautomatically at the end of the cooking cycle.

The induction element is adapted to provide optimal heat for the optimaltime to produce a fully cooked container of food, such as popcorn. Thevibrator element is operatively coupled to the cooking surface and isadapted to support a vibration in a horizontal plane at a frequency thatis optimal for the rotation and movement of popcorn kernels or otherfood during the cooking process. A vibrator assembly is provided whichis fully automatic and produces the correct amount of frequency andamplitude needed for the cooking process.

FIG. 15 shoes a cross sectional view of the popcorn cartridge, which isconstructed in a manner similar to the cartridge shown in FIGS. 10 a and10 b. The cartridge has an open top, a closed bottom, and a side wall.The cartridge also includes a lower layer 572 of material positionedupon the bottom of the container, an upper layer 576 of expandablematerial positioned above a cavity 574 holding popcorn 575, and anintermediate layer 573 located between the popcorn and the lower layerfabricated of a ferromagnetic material. The intermediate layer interactswith and generates heat in response to energizing of the inductionelement 542. The plan view of FIG. 14 shows the expandable upper layer576. In the embodiment shown, the layer 576 is a layer of foldedaluminum foil that gradually unfolds as the popcorn in the cavity 574pops and increases in volume.

The cartridge 538 is adapted to function as a package in which theunpopped popcorn is to be sold, as a vessel for the popping of thepopcorn, and also as a container for serving the popcorn to be eaten.

The present invention is designed to vibrate a stove top, cookware orsmall appliance, i.e. crock pot, rice cooker, popcorn maker, etc. whilecooking. The stove top, cookware, small appliance, can be made of anymaterial, i.e. glass, metal, ceramic, composite, etc.

The invention will eliminate the need for stirring in some cookingapplications by keeping the contents moving. The invention will preventfood from sticking and burning in the cookware or small appliance bykeeping the food moving.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variouschanges and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodimentswithout departing from the spirit of the present invention. All suchmodifications and changes are intended to be covered within the scope ofthe present invention disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cook top system for heating the contents of acooking vessel, comprising: a surface adapted to support the cookingvessel; a coil for creating an oscillating magnetic field that interactswith and generates an amount of heat in the cooking vessel; a vibratorcoupled to said surface for vibrating said surface; and a pad formed ofa thermally insulating, elastically deformable material on said surfaceand underneath the cooking vessel.
 2. The cook top system of claim 1,further comprising a recess formed in said surface in which at least aportion of said pad is disposed such that horizontal movement of saidpad relative to said surface is substantially prevented.
 3. The cook topsystem of claim 1, further comprising that removal of said pad from saidsurface is not impeded.
 4. The cook top system of claim 1, furthercomprising a heater control coupled to said coil for varying the amountof heat generated in the vessel and a vibrator control coupled to saidvibrator for varying one or both of the vibration frequency and thevibration amplitude of the vibrator.
 5. The cook top system of claim 1,further comprising at least one elastomeric isolation block positionedbetween said surface and a support for said surface.
 6. The cook topsystem of claim 1, further comprising a housing in which said surface,said coil, said vibrator, and said pad are contained.
 7. A cookingsystem for heating the contents of a cooking vessel, comprising: astructure adapted to support the cooking vessel; a heating elementadapted to generate heat in the cooking vessel; a vibrator coupled tosaid structure for vibrating said structure; and a pad formed of anelastically deformable material positioned between said structure andthe cooking vessel.
 8. The cooking system of claim 7, wherein saidstructure is a housing in which said heating element, said vibrator, andsaid pad are contained.
 9. The cooking system of claim 8, furthercomprising a cook top surface in the housing adapted to support thecooking vessel.
 10. The cooking system of claim 8, further comprising arecess formed in said pad for receiving at least a portion of thecooking vessel.
 11. The cooking system of claim 7, wherein saidstructure is a substantially planar surface.
 12. The cooking system ofclaim 11, wherein said heating element is a coil for creating anoscillating magnetic field that interacts with and generates an amountof heat in the cooking vessel.
 13. The cooking system of claim 12,further comprising a recess formed in said surface for receiving atleast a portion of said pad such that said recess substantially preventshorizontal movement of said pad relative to said surface.
 14. Thecooking system of claim 13, further comprising that removal of said padfrom said surface is not impeded.
 15. The cooking system of claim 7,further comprising at least one elastomeric isolation block adapted tosupport said structure.
 16. The cooking system of claim 7, wherein saidpad is formed of a thermally insulating material.